Eadlyn Shreave is confident, she was born to be Queen, has
been training for it her whole life. She is powerful and can do anything and
everything. Not only is she the future ruler of her kingdom, but she is the
ruler of herself. Until she is told that she will be hosting a selection. What? As the country of Illea is falling
apart, the King and Queen feel as if a Selection is what can put this broken
country back together. The only problem is, Eadlyn needs to decide between losing
her country, or loosing her heart.
When I found out that Kiera Cass was continuing The
Selection Series, I thought it was a gift from Heaven itself. I love The
Selection books that took place from the point of view of America Singer, and
now, hearing that their would be two, not one, but two more books taken from the perspective of America and Maxon’s
daughter, it was like Christmas came early. Yes, that may sound a little crazy
and way too excited, but this series is honestly my favorite.
Though this book was not what I expected nor anticipated. As
much as I hate to say it, but I feel as if it did not live up to the hype nor
the previous three books. To be honest, I felt as if this book lacked an interesting
plot line. I felt it drag on and on with not much happening, and the parts that
were interesting were short lived, until the very end. Where the Selection
series with America’s point of view had an interesting plot, an average girl
trying to find her place among the royals all while trying to decide what is
best for her, it also featured interesting sub-plot lines as well. The Heir I
felt had less complexity to the fact that it felt more like; and this happened,
then this happened, then this other thing happened, and now I’m not sure why I’m
doing this Selection, when can this be
over? And we never really get into much details about the sub-plot line. There
were a few interesting plot points in this book, but I feel as if the bridge to
get there, ran dull.
I
believe this is due to Eadlyn’s character. Often in this book I found her rude
and acting like a brat. She is so closed off as a person, and carries such a
big head on her shoulder, that even as readers who are reading from her
perspective, find there is a huge wall surrounding her and can’t break through
her core personality. She doesn’t really know what she wants, and the fact that
she doesn’t even want to participate in the Selection already coats the book in
negative colors and gives the reader’s an even more disadvantage.
I say
that because I feel the downfall to hosting the selection is the wide variety
of characters us as readers have to comprehend. In America’s selection, yes there
were other contestants, but the only characters we had to really focus on where
America, Maxon, Aspen, and maybe a few other contestants. The original Selection
series also served in a three book time period, in which it gave us time to familiarize
ourselves with the characters and any character’s stat stood on the outside we
were able to understand through the sub-plot. Now in Eadlyn’s case I feel that
having only two books about this is only going to lessen our understanding of
the characters. There are so many more characters we need to familiarize ourselves
with that we will never be able to really see into the character’s personality.
Though one thing I like about this
book is its perspective on feminism. Eadlyn loves her freedom and independence,
she likes the idea of running a country by herself. Though she feels if she
finds a husband, that she will be tied down and loose her freedom and would
have to share the crown with another person who could potentially out rule her.
Though as the book progresses Eadlyn finds that it is not true. That just
because she chooses a husband, that doesn’t mean her freedom is automatically
gone. It only means that there will be someone to be with during this long
journey. That she can have her freedom and independence, and having someone by
her side can make the stress of her job more bearable. It also shows that, yes,
you don’t need a man to be happy, but it can add to your wellbeing and you can
still keep your independence. (This is my opinion)
As the book progresses, we do see a
major change in Eadlyn’s character. She goes from being a stubborn brat, to
finally realizing that she needs to live for more people than herself. It may
be scary to fall in love and take the chance of being hurt, but you will never
get anywhere if you’re not willing to take that jump and see where it takes
you. It may be wonderful, or you may crash and burn, but nonetheless it grows
you as a person.
Though America and Eadlyn are very similar. Both were forced
into doing a selection in which they despise and both tried to get it over with
as soon as possible. But in the end of both stories each realize that they need
to be in this and their might actually be something worth fighting for.
Over all I would give this book a 3.5 stars for I feel it
serves more as a set up book for the final book. Despite what I had said
before, I still encourage you to read this book because I find it interesting to
compare the differences between America’s and Eadlyn’s Selection. But I can guarantee
to you, that by the last page, you will be checking your calendar’s in
anticipation to when the final installment comes out.
For a more in-depth review:
